09/09/2026
I am old enough to remember the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation and all the misinformation surrounding that process of simply identifying areas that may qualify for the designation of roadless. In North Georgia, there was a rash of arson events across the Chattahoochee National Forest. All in the name of keeping the Forest "open" to the public. Now, the disinformation campaign has taken an opposite tack. The owners of public land -we, the public- realized the roadless designation actually provided increased opportunities to recreate (hunt, fish, hike, photograph, and camp, among other activities) rather than restricted them. It has also allowed the Forest Service to avoid spending money on road maintenance. For the uninitiated, dirt roads are the number-one culprit behind siltation in mountain trout streams. Now proponents pushing to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule are focusing on the contemporary fear of wildfire as the reason for opening protected areas. In fact, the USFS's own records show that roadless areas are routinely managed to reduce the risk of wildfire. It's the height of irresponsibility to degrade these areas with road construction projects that have little to no chance of being maintained. In fact, it could be argued that these areas, of all Forest Service lands, most fully meet the original goal of multiple use. I strongly support maintaining protections for all roadless areas and keeping these public lands a great place to hunt and fish.
Jimmy Harris, owner
Unicoi Outfitters
Note: public comment deadline is Sept 21.
The Roadless Rule has effectively protected and managed public lands for over two decades.
Roadless areas protect some of the last intact trout and salmon habitat in the country. The USDA just released its plan to eliminate those protections nationwide.
The public comment period is now open through September 21st.
Submit your comment today and urge USDA to keep strong protections in place for roadless areas: https://bit.ly/3Si2MVE
Adding a personal note about why these public lands matter to you makes a real difference.
